Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8985
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T17:57:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026 (H.R. 8985)
Purpose
This legislation establishes a new rental assistance program under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 specifically for low-income veteran families, with the goal of providing housing support through an entitlement-based voucher system. It aims to ensure access to rental aid for qualifying veterans and their families while integrating with existing veteran services.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility and Definitions: Creates a phased income-based definition for "qualified veteran families," starting at 50% of extremely low-income limits in fiscal year 2027 and expanding to full low-income eligibility by fiscal year 2031. Includes single veterans, families with a veteran head of household, and groups of veterans living together. Excludes those with dishonorable discharges or general court-martial dismissals. VA disability benefits are not counted as income for eligibility.
- Entitlement to Assistance: Qualified veteran families are entitled to rental assistance, with public housing agencies required to accept applications and provide aid promptly. Existing recipients on the date of enactment are protected from new eligibility reviews.
- Administration and Verification: The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must maintain an electronic system, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to verify veteran status. HUD can designate administering agencies in areas without adequate coverage, after public comment and consultation with states, tribes, and local entities.
- Landlord Protections and Services: Prohibits owners of five or more units from refusing tenants solely due to voucher status. Agencies must provide information on local veteran services. Referrals to the existing HUD-VA supported housing program are required when appropriate.
- Funding and Fees: Provides permanent annual appropriations starting in fiscal year 2027 for all necessary rental assistance, administrative fees, and service fees (up to $4,000 per eligible household, adjusted for inflation). Funds supplement, rather than replace, existing Section 8 programs and are excluded from the Moving to Work demonstration.
- Other Rules: Assistance does not count toward income targeting requirements. The program takes effect on the first day of the fiscal year after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 by adding a new paragraph (23) for this veteran-specific rental assistance program.
- Introduces an entitlement structure with mandatory permanent funding, differing from discretionary voucher allocations in current law.
- Phases in broader income eligibility over five years and excludes veteran disability benefits from income calculations, expanding access beyond standard Section 8 rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for HUD and public housing agencies, including verification processes, service referrals, and agency designations in underserved areas. Requires ongoing consultation with the VA.
- Citizens: Provides direct rental support to low-income veteran families, potentially reducing housing instability for this group, with phased rollout to manage costs.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Low-income veteran families (primary beneficiaries).
- Public housing agencies (administrators of the program).
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (oversight and funding).
- Department of Veterans Affairs (consultation and verification support).
- Landlords and property owners (subject to nondiscrimination rules).
- Tribally designated housing entities and Indian tribes (consulted in agency designations).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes a new mandatory spending entitlement, which may raise budgetary considerations under congressional appropriations processes.
- Includes nondiscrimination rules for landlords that do not preempt stronger state or local laws.
- Bipartisan sponsorship and focus on veterans may influence legislative support, though no constitutional challenges are addressed in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (10 pages)